Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (SSBU)

Dr. Mario Guide: Matchup Chart and Combos

July 2022 Major Tier List Update!
13.0 Best Character Tier List

Patch Notes and Updates
All Update and Patch Note History
Ver. 13.0.1 Patch Notes and Balance Changes

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Dr. Mario Guide

This is a guide to using Dr. Mario in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Dr. Mario's bread and butter combos, how to unlock, frame data, alt costumes and skins, as well as Dr. Mario's matchups, counters, and tier list placement can all be found here.

Dr. Mario Tier and Overview

Stats and General Info

Dr. Mario
Dr. Mario Image
Game Series Super Mario Bros.
Smash Bros. Debut Super Smash Bros. Melee
Fighter Number 18
Unlock Order 62
Number of Jumps 2
Weight 98 Units (33/87)
Dash Speed 1.464 (79/87)
Air Speed 0.9238784 (77/87)
Fast Fall Speed 2.4 (57/87)
Special Attributes Wall Jump

Tier List Placement

SSBU Dr. Mario Icon D Tier Tier

A Brawler with strong moves that have heavy knockback

Dr. Mario in Smash Ultimate is a character who fights up close using his moves with high damage output and knockback. His quick and easy to hit aerial attacks (Nair, Bair, Uair) are good for dealing damage, while he can make use of his Down Special and very fast Smash Attacks / Up Special to take stocks.

While his Up B is very strong as a finisher, the vertical distance on it is significantly worse than that of regular Mario's, so you have to be extra careful not to get edgeguarded, or else he will have a tough time recovering. His poor mobility also makes it somewhat difficult for him to approach characters with superior range.

See Our Tier List Here!

Dr. Mario's Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths ・Several powerful moves for taking stocks (Smash Attacks, Up B, F-air, Down B)
・Several moves that come out quick and deal decent damage (N-air, etc)
・Up B is good for breaking combos and edgeguarding
Weaknesses ・Poor mobility (very slow)
・Poor range on his attacks
・Poor recovery (Up B)

Dr. Mario Matchup Chart

Matchup Chart

Dr. Mario Image
-2
CloudLucinaPalutenaShulkSonicZero Suit Samus
-1
Banjo & KazooieBowserBowser Jr.BylethChromCorrinDuck HuntGreninjaHeroIkeInklingJokerKenLinkLucasMarthMega ManMeta KnightMewtwoMii BrawlerMii SwordfighterMin MinMr. Game & WatchNessOlimarPeach/DaisyPikachuPit/Dark PitPokemon TrainerR.O.B.RidleyRosalina & LumaRoyRyuSamus/Dark SamusSephirothSheikSimon/RichterSnakeSteveWarioWolfYoshiYoung LinkZelda
0
BayonettaCaptain FalconDiddy KongDonkey KongFalcoFoxGanondorfIce ClimbersIncineroarIsabelleJigglypuffKing DededeKing K. RoolKirbyLittle MacLucarioLuigiMarioMii GunnerPac-ManPichuPiranha PlantRobinTerryToon LinkVillagerWii Fit Trainer
+1
+2

Notes About Matchup Chart

1. -2 = Disadvantage. -1 = Slight Disadvantage or Even. 0 = Even. +1 = Slight Advantage or Even. +2 = Advantage.
2. The matchup chart was based around both the opinions of professional players of each character, as well as our own experience through playing Dr. Mario.
3. Characters within each tier are unordered
4. Pokemon Trainer's individual Pokemon (Squirtle, Ivysaur, and Charizard) as well as Echo fighters with no significant difference than their regular counterpart are not shown.
5. For other characters who are not shown here, we are still investigating the matchup.

Dr. Mario Combos

Grounded Combos
Down Throw┳Up Smash
   ┣Up Tilt
   ┣Up Special
   ┣Down Special
   ┗Up Tilt
Dash Attack┳Up Air
  ┗Down Special (Only when opponent is on the ledge)
Aerial Combos
Neutral Air━Down Tilt━Up Special
Jump━Neutral Special━F-air(Down Special)

Grounded Combos Explanation

Combo 1
Combo 2
Down Throw Combos Explanation
This combo can work with a wide variety of percents. The down throw to down special combo can also be used as a killing combo.
Dash Attack Combos Explanation
This combo can be landed by starting it just after landing a dash attack. The dash attack to down special combo will only work when the opponent is on the ledge, but it is a kill so be sure to remember it.

Aerial Combos Explanation

Combo 3
Combo 4
Neutral Air━Down Tilt━Up Special
This combo can be used on opponents with lower percents. This attack will do around 32% damage, so try to incorporate it into your gameplay.
Jump━Neutral Special━F-air(Down Special)
A killer combo that can be used at various percents. You need to learn the timing of how to get next to your opponent the instant after you use your special for this combo to work. By learning this, your kill options will be increased.

Dr. Mario Frame Data and Moveset

Best Out of Shield Options

Move Frames
Up B 3 Frames
Neutral Air 6 Frames
Up Air 7 Frames
Up Smash 9 Frames
Back Air 9 Frames
Shield Grab 10 Frames

Dr. Mario has access to some great out of shield options, with his up B being one of the quickest out of shield moves in the game. It will be your go to oos punish, as it is quick enough to punish nearly any move that hits your shield without proper spacing. Dr. Mario can also use one of his aerials for a quick punish, depending on where the opponent is, or an up smash to hit opponents above him. His shield grab is 10 frames, which can lead into a combo starting with down throw.

Jab (Neutral Attack)

1v1 Damage (%) Startup Frames
Jab 1
(A)
3.5 2
Jab 2 2.1 2
Jab 3 5.6 3

Jab

Dr. Mario's jab is extremely fast, making it a great move to use after landing, or as an up close get-off-me tool.

Dash Attack / Tilts

1v1 Damage (%) Startup Frames
Dash Attack
(Dash + A)
13.8 6
Dash Attack (Weak Hit) 8.4 10
Forward Tilt
(← or → + A)
9.8 5
Up Tilt
(↑ + A)
8.8 5
Down Tilt
(↓ + A)
9.8 5
Down Tilt (sour spot) 7 5

Dash Attack

Dr. Mario's dash attack slides forward, and will send an opponent upward so they can be comboed. Its long hitbox makes it good for catching opponents' landings.

Forward Tilt

Dr. Mario's forward tilt has good range, and very quick startup. It is another good get-off-me tool for opponents that you want to send away.

Up Tilt

Dr. Mario's up tilt sends opponents upward, allowing for various combos into itself, up air, or back air. It is one of his main combo starters.

Down Tilt

Dr. Mario's down tilt sends opponents upward, and is another quick combo starter. It can combo into down B at higher percents, which is one of Doc's main KO confirms.

Smash Attacks

1v1 Damage (%) Startup Frames
Forward Smash
(Smash ← or → + A)
25.1 15
Forward Smash
(sour spot)
20.7 15
Up Smash 1
(Smash ↑ + A)
19.7 9
Down Smash 1
(Smash ↓ + A)
14.1 5
Down Smash 2 16.9 14

Forward Smash

Dr. Mario's forward smash has different damage and knockback depending on whether it hits from the base or the tip. When possible, try and hit opponents up close with it, since Dr. Mario's hand will send opponents further.

Up Smash

Dr. Mario's up smash comes out quick, has relatively short endlag, and gives him temporary intangibility on his head. It is great for punishing an opponent attempting to approach from the air.

Down Smash

Dr. Mario's down smash is his fastest smash attack, and kicks on both sides of him. The back hit is stronger than the first one, so if using it to KO, try and hit opponents while turned away from them. It can be used to catch rolls or edgeguard recovering opponents.

Aerials

1v1 Damage (%) Startup Frames
Neutral Air
(A + no direction while airborne)
7 3
Neutral Air
(delayed hit)
11.2 11
Forward Air
(Initial Hit)
14.1 16
Forward Air 21.1 17
Forward Air (Weak Hit) 12.7 21
Back Air
(← or → Opposite of the direction you are facing + A while airborne)
16.9 6
Back Air
(sour spot)
9.8 9
Up Air
(↑ + A While Airborne)
12.2 4
Down Air
(↓ + A While Airborne)
16.9 16

Neutral Air

Dr. Mario's neutral air comes out extremely quick and has a lingering hitbox. It is great as a combo breaker and get-off-me tool. It is extremely safe on shield too (-4/-3), so it is good for shield pressure as well, and can also be used for ledgetrapping.

Forward Air

Dr. Mario's forward air deals great damage and knockback. It can be comboed into from a pill (neutral B), which is a useful KO confirm. It does not spike opponents.

Back Air

Dr. Mario's back air has good range and quick startup, and since it is -5/-6 on shield, it is good for pressuring shields. It is a good KO option for Dr. Mario, so aim it at opponents at high percents.

Up Air

Dr. Mario's up air comes out very quick, and sends an opponent upward, making it useful as a combo extender.

Down Air

Dr. Mario's down air is a stomp, which can spike opponents, making it useful for edgeguarding or as an on-stage combo starter.

Specials

1v1 Damage (%) Startup Frames
Neutral Special
(B)
7 17
Neutral Special
(weaker hit after 2 bounces)
7 47
Side Special
(← or → + B)
9.8 12
Up Special
(↑ + B)
16.9
Up Special
(sour spot)
8.4
Down Special
(↓ + B)
2.2 10/14/18/22/26/30
Down Special
(last hit)
4.2 40

Neutral Special (Megavitamin Pill)

Dr. Mario's neutral special sends a pill out, which bounces forward on the ground. Capsules are one of Dr. Mario's main approach tools, as they allow him to find an opening on his opponents, and can combo into other moves.

Side Special (Super Sheet)

Dr. Mario's side special is used to reflect projectiles back at the sender. When used directly on an opponent, it will reverse the direction they face, so it is useful for edgeguarding, since it can send an opponent in the opposite direction.

Up Special (Super Jump Punch)

Dr. Mario's up special is a powerful move that comes out extremely quick, making it a great out of shield option. It can be used to KO opponents, but it is rather lacking as a recovery, since it offers poor vertical movement.

Down Special (Dr. Tornado)

Dr. Mario's down special is a powerful spinning attack with great knockback on the final hit, making it useful as a KO option, particularly when preceded by a down throw. Mashing the special button also allows Doc to travel upward slightly, so it can be used together with hs jump and before up special when offstage to recover.

Grabs and Throws

1v1 Damage (%) Startup Frames
Pummel 1.8 1
Grab (Normal) - 6
Dash Grab - 9
Pivot Grab - 10
Forward Throw (Hitbox)
(← or → While Grabbing)
11.2 13
Back Throw (Hitbox)
(← or → While Grabbing)
15.5 30
Up Throw (Hitbox)
(↑ While Grabbing)
9,8 18
Down Throw (Hitbox)
(↓ While Grabbing)
7 18

Forward Throw

Dr. Mario's forward throw is mainly used for gaining stage control or putting an opponent offstage. It does not KO until very high percents, so it is usually better to go with another throw.

Back Throw

Dr. Mario's back throw is one of the strongest of its kind on the game. When standing near the ledge, it is great for KOing an opponent at 100%+.

Up Throw

At low percents, Dr. Mario's up throw can combo into his aerials like back air or up air.

Down Throw

Down Throw is Dr. Mario's go-to throw, since it can combo into a variety of his moves. Near the ledge, it can be comboed into down b for one of his most powerful KO confirms.

Final Smash

Attack Name How to Use Effect
Doctor Finale Press B after obtaining the Smash Ball Releases two massive capsules. Deals multi-hits to opponents and heavy knockback. Jumping before using it will allow the capsules to cover more area.

Dr. Mario Balance Changes

Version 13.0.0 Balance Patch

Change
Neutral Air Attack Extended launch distance for the high-damage window.
Up Air Attack Increased attack power and maintained launch distance.
Down Air Attack Increased attack speed.
Side Special Increased the amount of time hit detection lasts.
Down Special Increased the speed that super armor activates when using the move on the ground.

Version 8.0.0 Balance Patch

Change
Final Smash Increased power.

Version 7.0.0 Balance Patch

Change
Side Tilt Attack Increased power.
Extended launch distance.
Down Tilt Attack Increased the amount of time opponents will be in the damage animation.
Shortened launch distance.
Neutral Air Attack Increased the power of the attack in the high-damage range.
Extended launch distance when hit in the high-damage range.
Down Air Attack Increased the amount of time hit detection lasts.
Up Special Extended launch distance when hit in the high-damage range.

Version 3.0.0 Balance Patch

Change
Final Smash and FS Meter At the start of the move, nearby opponents will be slowed more and slowed longer.
Neutral Special Reduced the power against shields.

Major Changes from Smash 4

Change
Down Aerial
(↓+ A While Midair)
Meteor hitbox added in. Buff.

How to Unlock Dr. Mario

Unlocking Via Smash Mode
62nd fighter unlocked
After unlocking Bower Jr. let 10 minutes pass OR play another battle in smash after soft-resetting OR return to the menu from World of Light
Unlocking via Classic Mode
Clear Classic Mode 7 times with Mario.
Unlocking via World of Light
Ribbon Road

There are 3 ways to unlock Dr. Mario. Completing any of these, then defeating Dr. Mario when they appear in the “a New Challenger Appears” screen will allow you to use them afterward.

How to Unlock Characters Fast

Dr. Mario Alt Costumes and Skins

Dr. Mario Reveal Trailer

Smash Ultimate Character Guides

Fighters.png
List of Fighters
Tier List
Tier List
Unlocking Characters
Unlocking Fighters

Character Stat Lists

Character Stats
Weights of All Characters Run Speeds of All Characters
Air Speeds of All Characters Fast Fall Speeds of All Characters

Comment

5 Anonymousover 1 year

Another flaw to slap on the doctor can be “Very honest”

Author

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